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Thursday, September 15, 2011

Thursday Thought: Grace For The Good Girl Review And Giveaway!

Grace for the Good Girladdresses the common experience of many Christian women who are trying hard to live a performance-based life instead of resting in God’s grace. We can live in a loving relationship with God by receiving His love, rather than striving to be a “good girl."

I am reading this book because I am a good girl, a rule follower. I know how to toe the line. I am the one asking for clarification of the rules when they are announced. I'm also the one who gets aggravated with those people who completely ignore the rules. I am comfortable with rules. They make me feel safe.

So this book has been good for me-- to shake me up a little. I thought that being a good girl-- obeying the rules (or at least knowing what they are) was a good thing. And I fell into several of the traps that can come along with that mentality, which Emily Freeman outlines in her book.

Here are some quotes I underlined:

If I am trying to please God, it is difficult to trust God. But when I trust God, pleasing Him is automatic.

God longs for us to place our trust in Him rather than in ourselves. One way to do that was to give us a law we could not keep to show us how very perfect He is. And there, in our weak and helpless condition, we would finally agree with Him. We need Someone to act on our behalf.

Worship, not work, flows out of the hearts of those who believe.

You have trained people to think you have no needs, but you are secretly angry with them for believing you.

If you're a good girl, you might want to pick up a copy of this bookor leave a comment to win one! I will choose a winner and notify her privately so make sure I have a way to find you via your comment.

I am reading a chapter each morning for my quiet time-- and trying to ignore the fact that having a quiet time is a "good girl" thing to do. Just to be a rebel I am not answering the questions at the end of each chapter. At least, I am not writing the answers down. So there.

THE COMMENTS FOR THIS GIVEAWAY ARE NOW CLOSED. THE WINNER IS mheard11. CONGRATS! YOU'LL LOVE THIS BOOK!

"Worship, not work, flows out of the hearts of those who believe." It took many years for me to realize that grace is what saves us, not works. I used to try so hard to win God's love and affection. I would be thrilled to win a copy of this book!!!

I was intrigued when you talked about being a "good girl" because I could relate to all of your experiences, but it was the quotes from the book that really encouraged me especially: "If I am trying to please God, it is difficult to trust God. But when I trust God, pleasing Him is automatic."

Marybeth,Thank you for this insight today. I'm ready James and this ties into James chapter 2 nicely. I really like the statement, " If I am trying to please God, it is difficult to trust God. But when I trust God pleasing him is automatic. James 2:14 "What good is it dear brothers & sisters if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions?"

Since I first heard about this book I have told numerous women about it - and I am so excited to read it along side of other good girls - in search of a new name - living out of the identity their creator intends..

This is so me..."You have trained people to think you have no needs, but you are secretly angry with them for believing you." It's so hard to change after 54 years but I so want to live in the love God has for me and understand that he freely gives me all things; I can't earn them. Thanks for the post!

The last quote in your post stopped me cold. Literally, if I hadn't been sitting down I would have needed to. I have been angry about quite a few things this week, and I know that God is trying to help me work through them. It DOES make me angry when people don't realize that I am more needy than I pretend to be. I have been dealing with a lot of "less than" and "not good enough" feelings this week as well. I know for sure that God meant for me to see that today, to put a description to some of what I'm feeling so that I can see things for what they are. I definitely want to (NEED TO) read this book. Thank you so much Marybeth, for saying what God wants you to say.

Wow...it is a "comfort" to know that I am not the only rules girl out there! I started a new job several weeks ago and am struggling because there are so many people in the office who are not rules people.

My friend, Anne (NotaSupermom) mentioned that I need to get to know you. I clicked on your website, and thought I'd stop by and say, "Hey!". What a pleasant surprise to find you're giving away the book I want to read! I entered two other giveaways for this book today! Maybe I'll win a copy from you! That would be awesome!

i have put my aircard in a very safe place when we had company on the long weekend (so safe i can't find it) so have been limited in my internet use. i can agree with all of the above comments and the post, and think i need this book! thanks for the chance to win, MaryBeth, and for mentioning it.